16 graduate from New Haven Fire Department Recruit Training Class 60

16 graduate from Fire Department Recruit Training Class 60

Published
9:51 pm EST, Wednesday, December 28, 2016

New Haven firefighter Jonathan Depino, of East Haven, one of 16 members of the 60th recruit training class at the New Haven Regional Fire Training Academy tries to make eye contact with his mother, Christine Depino, who is sitting in the audience at the City of New Haven Department of Fire Services swearing in ceremony on Wednesday at Career Hill High School in New Haven. less

New Haven firefighter Jonathan Depino, of East Haven, one of 16 members of the 60th recruit training class at the New Haven Regional Fire Training Academy tries to make eye contact with his mother, Christine ... more

Photo: Catherine Avalone — New Haven Register

Photo: Catherine Avalone — New Haven Register

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New Haven firefighter Jonathan Depino, of East Haven, one of 16 members of the 60th recruit training class at the New Haven Regional Fire Training Academy tries to make eye contact with his mother, Christine Depino, who is sitting in the audience at the City of New Haven Department of Fire Services swearing in ceremony on Wednesday at Career Hill High School in New Haven. less

New Haven firefighter Jonathan Depino, of East Haven, one of 16 members of the 60th recruit training class at the New Haven Regional Fire Training Academy tries to make eye contact with his mother, Christine ... more

Photo: Catherine Avalone — New Haven Register

16 graduate from New Haven Fire Department Recruit Training Class 60

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NEW HAVEN >> They were a special kind of class; made up of all paramedics.

The recruit class began their 12-week training on Oct. 5. Chief John Alston, who has been heading the department since October, said the department has been through a lot of tough situations in the past few months.

“We’ve had explosions, leaks, white powder calls, and the condo fire just in the last couple weeks,” Alston said.

He said the residents who lost their home in this week’s condo fire at Harbour Landing Condominiums on Monday went to a meeting where they asked more questions about the safety of their firefighters than their own possessions.

“This is a community that respects firefighters,” Alston said. “Don’t do anything that will tarnish the New Haven Fire Department. That was earned by people who came before you and me.”

Recruit Class President John Martinez, who is a retired firefighter from another department, said he was honored to be a role model for his fellow recruits.

“We accomplished our class objectives by working as a team,” Martinez said. “We will protect this city by working as a team.

Local 825 President Mark Vendetto advised the recruits to continue learning from their more experienced peers.

“Your education does not end at the academy,” he said. “Every day come to work, learn from the veterans on the job, get the knowledge you need and strive to one day be in the position of Chief Alston.”

“There is no one brave enough, strong enough, with enough courage to do this job alone,” Vendetto said.

Correction: The cutline of the photo has been updated to clarify that Jonathan Depino, of East Haven, is a firefighter with the New Haven Fire Department.